Advice and Tools
For every step of your Ostomy Journey
SASS aims to advocate and align the standard of Stoma care and services across South Africa which will be applicable to both the private and public sectors.
Ostomy Care
Tips and Tricks
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is a Non-profit organization formed by Ostomates across Southern Africa to facilitate a “holistic” approach to ostomy patient care by bridging the gap between the private and public sectors whilst advocating for the rights of fellow ostomates throughout the country.
SASS VALUE STATEMENT
SASS is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of ostomates across South Africa. We strive to bridge the gap between private and public healthcare sectors, ensuring that all ostomates receive the highest standard of care.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive support, education, and resources to empower ostomates and their families, helping them navigate their new normal with confidence and dignity. By collaborating closely with clinicians and healthcare professionals, we ensure that our community receives expert care and guidance.
Aligning with global standards set by The International Ostomy Association (IOA), we aim to foster a community where every ostomate feels supported, informed, and valued.
Featured Topics
For Living with a Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy
Help us achieve
What we set out to achieve with YOUR help
GET EDUCATED
Medically reviewed surgery-specific information. Making sure you have access to the best possible care. Ostomy pouch management tips, diet & nutrition, skincare, sexuality, travel tips and more!
FEEL SUPPORTED
Support to you & your family whilst you transition into your new normal. You will have access to a local peer support group, where you can get answers to questions, or connect with our Facebook community.
BE AN ADVOCATE
We aim to advocate the standard of Stoma care across private and public sectors, whilst aligning with the global standards set out by The International Ostomy Association (IOA).
Meet Our Featured Speaker | Mr. Faizel Jacobs
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is honored to welcome - Mr. Faizel Jacobs, President of the South African Society of Ostomates, to the SASS 2026 National Conference.
A colorectal cancer survivor, permanent ostomate, founding member and President of the South African Society of Ostomates (SASS). His own journey with a stoma inspired him to become a passionate patient advocate, championing the rights, dignity and well-being of people living with an ostomy across South Africa. Through SASS, Faizel works tirelessly to improve access to quality ostomy care, support and essential resources, while giving a powerful voice to the ostomy community.
🎤 Presentation:
SASSLink
Join Mr. Faizel Jacobs as he explores and introduces SASSLink – a multipurpose digital platform shaping the future of connected data-driven ostomy care. Digital development by Mr. Derrick Kaylor, and Clinical content written by RN. Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
🔗 Register today: www.sass2026.co.za
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #ColorectalCancer #CancerAdvocacy #GlobalColonCancerAssociation #HealthcareLeadership #PatientCentredCare #CancerAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #SouthAfrica
Meet Our Featured Speaker | Dr. Shakeel Kader
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is honored to welcome - Dr. Shakeel Kader, Colorectal Surgeon in KZN, to the SASS 2026 National Conference.
A distinguished Colorectal & GI Surgeon, award-winning researcher, internationally trained colorectal specialist, and Honorary Lecturer at UKZN, recognised for his leadership, groundbreaking research, and excellence in surgical education will address Our Shared Responsibility as a MDT
🎤 Presentation:
Improving Ostomy outcomes through multidisciplinary care: A shared responsibility
Join Dr. Shakeel Kader as she explores pre-op screening, diagnosis, surgery, to long-term follow-up: A shared responsibility, communication gaps, referral structures, prevention of complications, reintegration back into society, etc.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
🔗 Register today: www.sass2026.co.za
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #ColorectalCancer #CancerAdvocacy #GlobalColonCancerAssociation #HealthcareLeadership #PatientCentredCare #CancerAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #SouthAfrica
Happy Women`s Day 🌸
Today, we celebrate every woman whose strength is seen, and every woman whose strength goes unseen.
To the women living with an ostomy: your journey may look different, but your courage, resilience, and determination inspire those around you every single day.
You are more than your diagnosis.
More than your scars.
More than your stoma.
You are mothers, daughters, sisters, partners, friends, leaders, and advocates.
Today, and every day, we celebrate your strength, honour your journey, and stand beside you with understanding, support, and hope.
Different journeys. One sisterhood. One strength. 💗
Happy Women`s Day from all of us at the South African Society of Ostomates (SASS).
#WomensDay #SASS #OstomyAwareness #WomenSupportingWomen #InvisibleStrength #StomaLife #togetherwethrive
Are You Living With A Stoma? Register With SASS Today.
Over the past few weeks, we`ve shared why South Africa`s first National Stoma Registry matters.
We`ve spoken about being counted.
We`ve spoken about advocacy.
We`ve spoken about community.
Now we have one simple question:
Are you living with a stoma?
If the answer is yes, we invite you to register with SASSLink today.
Your registration helps us:
✅ Understand the needs of ostomates across South Africa
✅ Strengthen advocacy for better care and support
✅ Improve access to appropriate products and services
✅ Build evidence for healthcare planning and decision-making
✅ Grow a stronger, connected ostomy community
The process takes less than 2 minutes.
No paperwork.
No queues.
No cost.
Just one simple step that can help shape the future of ostomy care in South Africa.
Scan the QR code or register online:
https://sasslink.co.za/register.php
Better stoma care starts with YOU.
#SASSLink #NationalStomaRegistry #RegisterToday #OstomyCare #StomaAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareEquity #SouthAfrica #BetterStomaCare #SASS
🎉 A Milestone Worth Celebrating.
When we first announced SASS2026, we hoped to create something truly special for healthcare professionals passionate about advancing wound and ostomy care.
Today, we`re incredibly proud to share that the response has exceeded every expectation.
✅ Early Bird Registration is officially sold out.
✅ Our Gala Dinner is fully booked.
✅ With just 20 delegate places remaining, SASS2026 is rapidly approaching full capacity—two months before conference day.
For a groundbreaking multidisciplinary conference dedicated to complex wound, ostomy and continence care in South Africa, this milestone is about far more than registrations. It is a powerful reflection of our profession`s commitment to collaboration, innovation and improving outcomes for patients with complex care needs.
To every delegate, speaker, partner and supporter who has placed their confidence in SASS2026—thank you. You are helping shape what promises to be a landmark event for wound and ostomy care in South Africa.
If you`ve been meaning to register, now is the time. Once the remaining delegate places have been allocated, registrations will close.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Cape Town
Complex Wounds. Complex Patients. The Ostomy Challenge.
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #WoundCare #OstomyCare #HealthcareEducation #MultidisciplinaryCare #CapeTown
An integrated scientific programme designed to reflect the realities of clinical practice, bridging surgical insight, nursing expertise, rehabilitation, nutrition, and psychosocial care.
Explore two days of education, innovation and collaboration featuring national and international faculty, multidisciplinary learning opportunities, conference highlights and networking events.
Register today - www.sass.2026.co.za
#StomaNurseExcellenceAwards #SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #StomaNurse #OstomyCare #NursingExcellence #PatientCare #HealthcareHeroes #CompassionInCare #SouthAfrica #ostomychallenge #ostomyevent #sassconference
Nominations are now officially closed.
A sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate an outstanding stoma nurse.
Your nominations recognise the compassion, expertise and dedication of the nurses who help ostomates navigate one of life`s most challenging journeys with confidence, dignity and hope.
What happens next?
Our independent judging panel will carefully review every nomination before selecting the finalists.
The Top 3 Stoma Nurse Excellence Award finalists will be honoured, and the winner announced at the SASS 2026 Gala Dinner on 2 October 2026.
Until then... watch this space as we share updates on the awards journey.
Together, we`re celebrating excellence in stoma care and the remarkable professionals who make a difference every day.
#StomaNurseExcellenceAwards #SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #StomaNurse #OstomyCare #NursingExcellence #PatientCare #HealthcareHeroes #CompassionInCare #SouthAfrica
Are You Living With A Stoma? Register With SASS Today.
Over the past few weeks, we`ve shared why South Africa`s first National Stoma Registry matters.
We`ve spoken about being counted.
We`ve spoken about advocacy.
We`ve spoken about community.
Now we have one simple question:
Are you living with a stoma?
If the answer is yes, we invite you to register with SASSLink today.
Your registration helps us:
✅ Understand the needs of ostomates across South Africa
✅ Strengthen advocacy for better care and support
✅ Improve access to appropriate products and services
✅ Build evidence for healthcare planning and decision-making
✅ Grow a stronger, connected ostomy community
The process takes less than 2 minutes.
No paperwork.
No queues.
No cost.
Just one simple step that can help shape the future of ostomy care in South Africa.
Scan the QR code or register online:
https://sasslink.co.za/register.php
Better stoma care starts with YOU.
#SASSLink #NationalStomaRegistry #RegisterToday #OstomyCare #StomaAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareEquity #SouthAfrica #BetterStomaCare #SASS
SASS Blog
What has been happening at SASS
SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards 2026
Honouring Nurses Who Change Lives Behind every ostomate’s journey is often a nurse who made an impossible moment feel manageable.A nurse who provided dignity during uncertainty.A nurse who offered reassurance, compassion, education, and hope. The SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards were created to recognise and celebrate stoma nurses who go above and beyond in supporting […]
SASS2026 Conference: Multidisciplinary Ostomy Care Conference in South Africa
The South African Society of Ostomates (SASS) will host the SASS2026 Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cape Town, bringing together healthcare professionals involved in the care and rehabilitation of people living with a stoma. The conference is designed as a multidisciplinary clinical platform, supporting knowledge-sharing across nursing, physiotherapy, biokinetics, dietetics, occupational therapy, and […]
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SASS Is Proudly Supported By
